Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada released updated processing time estimates on May 20 for newly submitted temporary residence applications, showing significant regional variation. Pakistan-based applicants saw substantial improvements across multiple streams, while Nigerian work permit applicants now face wait times double what they were two weeks earlier.

The changes mark a notable shift from the previous update on May 6. Processing times for temporary residence applications have fluctuated throughout 2026 as IRCC adjusts capacity and manages application volumes from different countries. The department updates these estimates regularly based on current workloads and staffing levels, though the figures represent targets rather than guarantees.

Work permit processing for Pakistan-based applicants dropped from eight weeks to six weeks, a two-week improvement after holding steady since late April. Nigerian applicants, however, saw their wait times jump from six weeks to twelve weeks—a six-week increase that represents the most dramatic change in this update. In-Canada work permit applications improved slightly to 206 days from 212 days, though both figures remain well above IRCC's 120-day service standard for domestic submissions. India, the United States, and the Philippines held steady at nine weeks, five weeks, and eight weeks respectively. The service standard for work permits submitted outside Canada is 60 days.

"Processing times are estimates—not guarantees—and actual timelines may vary depending on the complexity of a case," the release states.

Study permit applicants from Pakistan saw the largest improvement in this category, with processing dropping from eleven weeks to seven weeks—a full month reduction. Nigeria experienced a modest one-week increase to six weeks, while India, the United States, the Philippines, and in-Canada applications remained unchanged at four weeks, five weeks, five weeks, and six weeks respectively.

Visitor visa processing times increased modestly across most countries, rising between one and five days. In-Canada visitor visa applications now take 16 days compared to 11 days previously. India increased from 27 to 28 days, Nigeria from 47 to 48 days, the United States from 22 to 25 days, and the Philippines from 18 to 20 days. Pakistan held steady at 50 days. The service standard for visitor visas submitted outside Canada is 14 days.